NUAG vs. JUCY

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

NUAG (Nuveen Enhanced Yield U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF) and JUCY (Aptus Enhanced Yield ETF) are both Intermediate Core Bond funds. NUAG is passively managed, while JUCY is actively managed. Over the past 3 years, NUAG returned 4.97%/yr vs 4.46%/yr for JUCY. At a 0.21 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. NUAG charges 0.19%/yr vs 0.60%/yr for JUCY.

Performance

NUAG vs. JUCY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Nuveen Enhanced Yield U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF (NUAG) and Aptus Enhanced Yield ETF (JUCY). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, NUAG achieves a 0.67% return, which is significantly lower than JUCY's 3.13% return.

NUAG

• 1D: 0.17%
• 1M: 0.39%
• YTD: 0.67%
• 6M: 0.70%
• 1Y: 5.51%
• 3Y*: 4.97%
• 5Y*: 0.51%
• 10Y*: —

JUCY

• 1D: 0.09%
• 1M: 0.49%
• YTD: 3.13%
• 6M: 3.92%
• 1Y: 7.83%
• 3Y*: 4.46%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

NUAG vs. JUCY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
NUAG Nuveen Enhanced Yield U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF	0.67%	7.37%	2.02%	7.52%	3.24%
JUCY Aptus Enhanced Yield ETF	3.13%	5.50%	3.89%	3.27%	0.72%

Correlation

The correlation between NUAG and JUCY is 0.33, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.33
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.22
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 2, 2022	0.21

The correlation between NUAG and JUCY shifts across timeframes, from 0.21 (all time) to 0.33 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

NUAG vs. JUCY — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

NUAG

NUAG Risk / Return Rank: 45
NUAG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 45
NUAG Sortino Ratio Rank: 48
NUAG Omega Ratio Rank: 44
NUAG Calmar Ratio Rank: 45
NUAG Martin Ratio Rank: 42

JUCY

JUCY Risk / Return Rank: 84
JUCY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 70
JUCY Sortino Ratio Rank: 79
JUCY Omega Ratio Rank: 77
JUCY Calmar Ratio Rank: 96
JUCY Martin Ratio Rank: 96

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

NUAG vs. JUCY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Nuveen Enhanced Yield U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF (NUAG) and Aptus Enhanced Yield ETF (JUCY). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

	NUAG	JUCY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.56	2.27	-0.71
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.32	3.49	-1.17
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.28	1.45	-0.17
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.18	9.49	-7.32
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.58	36.42	-29.83
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

NUAG vs. JUCY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NUAG Sharpe Ratio is 1.56, which is lower than the JUCY Sharpe Ratio of 2.27. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NUAG and JUCY, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	NUAG	JUCY	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.56	2.27	-0.71
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.08	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.31	1.40	-1.09

Drawdowns

NUAG vs. JUCY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NUAG drawdown since its inception was -19.79%, which is greater than JUCY's maximum drawdown of -1.56%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NUAG and JUCY.

Drawdown Indicators

	NUAG	JUCY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-19.79%	-1.56%	-18.23%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.54%	-0.83%	-1.71%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-5.61%	-1.56%	-4.05%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-19.19%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.06%	0.00%	-1.06%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.95%	-0.32%	-4.63%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.84%	0.22%	+0.62%

Volatility

NUAG vs. JUCY - Volatility Comparison

Nuveen Enhanced Yield U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF (NUAG) has a higher volatility of 1.15% compared to Aptus Enhanced Yield ETF (JUCY) at 0.50%. This indicates that NUAG's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than JUCY based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	NUAG	JUCY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.15%	0.50%	+0.65%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.59%	2.14%	+0.45%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.58%	3.47%	+0.11%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	6.01%	3.32%	+2.69%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	5.48%	3.32%	+2.16%

NUAG vs. JUCY - Expense Ratio Comparison

NUAG has a 0.19% expense ratio, which is lower than JUCY's 0.60% expense ratio.

Dividends

NUAG vs. JUCY - Dividend Comparison

NUAG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.49%, less than JUCY's 8.21% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
JUCY Aptus Enhanced Yield ETF	8.21%	7.98%	7.83%	9.31%	0.58%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
NUAG Nuveen Enhanced Yield U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF	4.49%	4.43%	4.44%	3.95%	3.60%	2.27%	2.93%	3.54%	3.79%	3.38%	0.48%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both NUAG and JUCY in my portfolio?

NUAG and JUCY have a correlation of 0.33, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, NUAG or JUCY?

NUAG has higher volatility (1.15%) compared to JUCY (0.50%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NUAG dropped -19.79% vs JUCY's -1.56%.

Which ETF is better, NUAG or JUCY?

On 3-year performance, NUAG leads with 4.97% vs 4.46% for JUCY. On fees, NUAG is cheaper at 0.19% per year. On volatility, JUCY has been the lower-risk option at 0.50%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, NUAG or JUCY?

Over the 3-year period, NUAG has performed better with a 4.97% return vs 4.46%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, NUAG or JUCY?

NUAG is cheaper with a 0.19% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for JUCY.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, NUAG or JUCY?

JUCY has the higher dividend yield at 8.21%, compared with 4.49% for NUAG.

What is the main difference between NUAG and JUCY?

They also come from different issuers: Nuveen and Aptus. Their fees differ too: 0.19% for NUAG and 0.60% for JUCY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

JUCY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.27 vs 1.56), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.